Engine lifting harness



- Dec. 10, 1946. H. o. Aus-EIN 2,412,488,

Patented Dec. l0, 1946 Ul'ih STATS PATENT OFFICE ENGINE LIFTING HARNESS Y Harley 0. Austin, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application September 28, 1945, Serial No. l619,205

2 Claims. (C1. 294-78) This invention pertains to engine lifting harness for pulling engines from automobiles and .the like where repair is necessary.

Heretofore, engines have been pulled by attaching the ends of a chain to the stud bolts in the head, and then attempting `to approximate the center of gravity on the chain loop thus formed and securing Ithe hook of the chain hoist to the approximated center of gravity on the chain by a bolt inserted through one of .the links of the chain at this point. I-t is often impossible to determine the center of gravity so that, after the .hoist has lifted the engine partially out of its bed in the lautomobile frame, it will remain level. If the center of gravity is not estimated correctly, then the engine will slide to one end or the other and hang up on various frame parts, or will spill, or possibly .tear loose from the hoist hook. Moreover, in certain installations, it is necessary to remove the engine at a definite pr'edetermined angle in order 4that it will clear obstructions in the frame and thereafter, as the chain hoist is operated, it is necessary to level the engine so that it may be lowered on to work blocks in a level and orderly manner. To do this by sluiting the position of the chain hoist on the ordinary chain loop, is awkward and inem-cient, and as a result, it is necessary to use a great deal of manual effort in addition to the use of the chain hoist for balancing and guiding and pulling the engine out of the :chassis and to .the work block or work horses.

In view of the foregoing, one of the objects of my invention is to provide a lifting harness to be attached at any two places desired .to the cylinder block of an engine to be removed from the chassis frame of a motor vehicle, which has means for attachment to a chain hoist, or the like, and mechanism for shifting the weight of the engine block between the points of attachment.

A second object is to provide .a lifting harness for pulling engines from motor vehicles which has chain suspension members at each end of a frame vand a hoist attaching member operative in said frame between said suspension members and arranged so that it maiT be shifted toward either suspension member either before or during Ithe pulling process while under load.

Other objects will `appear hereinafter.

I attain the foregoing objects by means of the construction and devices shown in the accom- Figure 3, an elevational section .taken substantially on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in Ithe several views.

A frame 2 is composed of end blocks 3 and 4 welded to the ends of a tubular longitudinally extending frame member 5. A long screw 6 is journaled in the upper portions of the end blocks and extends parallel to frame member 5.

The right end of screw 6 carries a crank 1 on collar 8 and a second collar 9 is positioned on the screw adjacent the inner face of block 4 to prevent longitudinal movement. A hoist cage l0 is composed of two side plates I l which enclose a hoist hook attachment thimble l2 held in place by a bolt i3 at the top and a thimble I4 at the bottom. This thim-ble journals roller l5, which has its periphery grooved to conform to and ride on the under side of tubular frame member 5. Between these thimbles .there is a block I6, supported on bosses I1 at each end bearing in holes in plates il. This block is threaded to receive screw 6.

Chains I8 are attached to holes in the lower por-tions of blocks 3 and 4 and constitute a means for attaching the frame ends 2 to portions of an engine, or engine block 2i)V (indicated by dotted outline). L hooks 2l are linked to the lower ends of these chains and are adapted to receive cap screws 22, or the like, for securing them to block 20.

In use, these L hooks are attached by screws 22 (or other convenient means) to the engine to be pulled, and the hook 23 of a chain hoist or crane is engaged over thimble l2. Screw 6 is manipulated by crank 1 to position the cage l approximately in the estimated center of balance.

The hoist is operated until .the engine is lifted a slight distance .and .the cage is then repositioned along the frame 2 so that the weight of the engine is equalized between the supporting chains i8. If the engine can be pulled clear of the chassis frame while level no further shifting of the cage is necessary, but if .the engine must come out at an angle in order to clear frame or body parts, the center of balance can be easily shifted to secure this angle Iby manipulating crank 7. Those familiar with this type of work will readily appreciate the convenience aiorded by this mechanism and device. Its use becomes more necessary as manufacturers make vehicles with body and fender parts which enclose the motor and which are difficult to remove.

I realize that many mechanical variations may ceivea hoist hook, and a threaded block opera tively engaging said screw, whereby said cage can be moved along said frame by turning movement of said screw.

2. Lifting harness for pulling engines from vehicle chassis, comprising in combination, a frame composed of a tubular longitudinal member, and end blocks secured to each of its ends, a threaded screw member extending substantially parallel to and above said longitudinal member j ournalled at each end in the upper portions of said end blocks, secured .against longitudinal displacement by collars, and provided with a crank at one end, means for attaching ythe ends of said frame to an engine including chains attached to the lower portions of said frame end blocks, depending therefrom and having L hooks at their lower ends, and a hoist hook cage adapted .to engage a hoist hook at its upper end, and having a roller within its bottom portion adapted to support said frame by engagement with the under side of said longitudinal member and being movable along the length of said member, and having a threaded block positioned to operably engage said threaded screw member, whereby the position of said cage is maintained on said frame, and may be longitudinally shifted by turning said screw.

HARLEY O. AUSTIN. 

